Alpacas make fantastic pets and are very manageable even with children. Alpacas live for about 20 years.

An alpacas weighs about 45kg to 60kg but may look bigger when they have the full cover of fleece. A newborn Cria can weigh about 4kg to 8kg at birth.

Like all other animals Alpacas can get ill, but they are good at hiding an illness, so good management is required at all times. If you here the term "Alpacas never get ill". try to avoid that breeder. But saying that the Alpaca is a very hardy animal.

Alpacas are semi-ruminants, surviving happily on grass throughout the year. Hay should be provided on an ad lib basis, particularly in the winter. Some owners provide a low protein supplementary feed which will usually include additional minerals and nutrients. A grazing regime of between 3-5 per acre is normal.

An Alpacas gestation is 11 1/2 months but can go up to 12 months Female alpacas tend to give birth in the late morning to mid afternoon. They rarely have twins but, if they do, it is unusual for the cria to survive. The cria is weaned at about 5-6 months of age

Female Alpaca is usually ready for breading at about 18 months old and males are usually fully mature about 2 years. All females are potential breeders but not all males are good enough to become stud males.

Field shelters are provided so Alpacas can get out of bat weather. There is no need to shut them in a barn or stable. Alpacas really challenge fencing so simple fencing is required, sheep weir is good with a single wood rail on the top, but barbed weir must not be used.

During wet condition and the ground is soaked you will find that the Alpacas does not poach the ground and is very kind to your pastures. Their droppings are located in piles around the pasture and are easily cleaned up.

Alpacas are very social animal and need to be kept in groups of two or more. You will also find how easy they are to handle.

Searing needs to be carried out once a year, but some owners of Suries like to allow two years of fleece to develop. There are about 22 natural colours of Alpaca

Alpacas make excellent pets. They are intelligent, easily trained and are very gentle with children. They are inquisitive, approaching people who stand and watch them. They will eat out of the hand if time is spent and training to lead by a halter is straightforward.

Where to Buy Alpacas?

We strongly request that you buy your alpacas from a register breeder with the BAS and to ensure they follow their code of practice.